[Federal Register: June 15, 2009 (Volume 74, Number =
113)]
[Notices] =20
[Page 28214-28217]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15jn09-25] =20
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
=20
Proposed Amendment of Rogue River, Umpqua and Winema National=20
Forest (NF) Land and Resource Management Plans for the Pacific=20
Connector Gas Pipeline
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement=20
for Land and Resource Management Plan amendments.
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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service is proposing to amend the Land and=20
Resource Management Plans (LRMP) of the Rogue River (administered as=20
the Rogue River-Siskiyou NF), Umpqua, and Winema (administered as the=20
Fremont-Winema NF) National Forests to make provision for the proposed=20
Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline (PCGP). The Federal Energy Regulatory=20
Commission (FERC) is the lead agency for the environmental analysis of=20
the construction and operation of the proposed natural gas pipeline=20
(FERC Docket No. CP07-441-000). The FERC has prepared an environmental=20
impact statement (EIS) that discusses the environmental impacts that=20
could result from the construction and operation of the PCGP. FERC=20
issued the FEIS for the PCGP on May 1, 2009.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service is a Cooperating=20
Agency with the FERC in environmental analysis and preparation of the=20
EIS for the PCGP. Certain features of the PCGP Project could not be=20
made consistent with the LRMPs of the Rogue River, Umpqua and Winema=20
National Forests because of the nature of pipeline construction.=20
Therefore, in order to comply with the requirements of the National=20
Forest Management Act (NFMA) the Forest Service must amend these LRMPs=20
to make provision for the PCGP.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received=20
by 30 days from the date this notice is published in the Federal=20
Register. The draft environmental impact statement for amendment of=20
forest plans is expected to be published in August, 2009 and the final=20
environmental impact statement is expected in December, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Pam Sichting, Umpqua National=20
Forest, 2900 NW. Stewart Parkway, Roseburg, OR 97471. Comments may also=20
be sent via e-mail to: comments-pacif=
icnorthwest-umpqua@fs.fed.us, or=20
via facsimile to 541-957-3495. Comments may be hand-delivered to the=20
above address Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. till 4:30 p.m.,=20
excluding legal holidays.
Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names=20
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record=20
for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be=20
accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide=20
the respondent with standing to appeal the subsequent decision.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Sichting at 541-957-3342 or by e-
mail at psichting@fs.fed.us. =
Individuals who use telecommunication=20
devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay=20
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern=20
Time, Monday through Friday.
Information concerning the construction and operation of the PCGP=20
is contained in the FERC Jordon Cove-Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline=20
Project Final Environmental Impact Statement. Also information about=20
the Project is available from the FERC Office of External Affairs at 1-
866-208 FERC (3372) or on the FERC Internet Web site (http://frwebgate=
.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=3DleavingFR.html&log=3Dlinkl=
og&to=3Dhttp://www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. Click on =
the eLibrary link,=20
click on ``General Search,'' and enter the docket number (CP07-441-000)=20
excluding the last three digits in the Docket. For assistance, please=20
contact FERC Online Support at FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov=
or toll free=20
at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, contact (202) 502-8659. The
[[Page 28215]]
eLibrary link on the FERC Internet Web site also provides access to the=20
texts of final documents issued by the Commission, such as Orders,=20
notices, and rule makings.
Finally, PCGP has established a Web site for this project at h=
ttp://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=3DleavingFR.html&=
amp;log=3Dlinklog&to=3Dhttp://www.pacificconnectorgp.com/. The =
Web site includes a project overview,=20
timeline, safety and environmental information, and answers to=20
frequently asked questions. You can also request additional information=20
by e-mailing PCGP at pacificconnector@williams.c=
om or by phone at 866-
227-9249.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:=20
Purpose and Need for Action
Jordon Cove--Pacific Connector LP (Company) has proposed to=20
construct a 36 inch natural gas pipeline from a liquified natural gas=20
terminal at Coos Bay, Oregon, to an interstate gas transmission=20
pipeline at Malin, Oregon. The PCGP will provide natural gas to=20
southern Oregon, the Willamette Valley, California and Nevada. The=20
Company submitted its application for the Pacific Connector Gas=20
Pipeline (PCGP) project to the FERC on September 4, 2007. The=20
applications were noticed in the Federal Register on September 13,=20
2007. The FERC authorizes the construction and operation of natural gas=20
pipelines upon its determination that the pipeline fulfills a public=20
need. The PCGP is proposed to cross the Rogue River, Umpqua and Winema=20
National Forests on its route between Coos Bay and Malin, Oregon.=20
Transmission of natural gas is a legitimate use of public land=20
consistent with the Natural Gas Act, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and=20
the Forest Service's National Strategic Plan, 2007-2012.
A Notice of Intent (NOI) was issued by the FERC for construction=20
and operation of the PCGP on June 23, 2006. Subsequently, a Draft=20
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was made available to the public=20
on August 29, 2008. The public comment period on the DEIS closed on=20
December 4, 2008. The FERC, as lead Federal agency, issued the Jordan=20
Cove-Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline Final Environmental Impact=20
Statement (FEIS) on May 1, 2009. For portions of the proposed PCGP that=20
cross National Forest System lands, the Forest Service was a=20
cooperating agency with the FERC in preparing the EIS for the Project.=20
The FERC will use this FEIS to determine whether to issue a Certificate=20
of Public Convenience and Necessity (Certificate). The Certificate=20
authorizes construction and operation of the PCGP.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issues and administers natural=20
gas pipeline Right of Way Grants across all Federal lands, including=20
the Forest Service, under the Mineral Leasing Act. The PCGP must have a=20
Right of Way Grant to occupy any Federal lands in addition to the=20
FERC's Certificate. To issue a Right of Way Grant across NFS lands, the=20
BLM must obtain the consent of the Forest Service.
The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) requires all projects or=20
activities on a given National Forest to be consistent with that=20
Forest's LRMP. Certain features of this project could not be made=20
consistent with the LRMPs of the Rogue River, Umpqua and Winema=20
National Forests because of the nature of pipeline construction.=20
Therefore, the Forest Service must amend these LRMPs in order to comply=20
with the requirements of NFMA prior to consenting to the BLM's issuance=20
of a Right of Way Grant. This Notice of Intent is for preparation of an=20
EIS by the Forest Service that will consider and disclose the=20
significance of these proposed amendments pursuant to 36 CFR=20
219.10(f)(1982 Version). The issue of whether a plan amendment is=20
significant is guided by several factors, including the timing and=20
duration of the proposed change, the location and size of the project,=20
and how the proposed change may alter multiple-use goals and objectives=20
for long-term land and resource management. In this analysis of=20
significance, the Forest Service will rely on the FERC EIS for=20
consideration of environmental consequences of construction and=20
operation of the PCGP. These amendments of Forest Plans will only be=20
implemented if the FERC authorizes the PCGP.
Proposed Action
This Proposed Action is to amend the LRMPs of the Rogue River,=20
Umpqua and Winema National Forests to make provision for the PCGP.
Rogue River NF LRMP--The Forest Service proposes to amend the Rogue=20
River NF LRMP as follows:
By establishing a Forest Plan objective that states: While=20
considering other multiple use values, the Forest shall facilitate and=20
make provision for energy transmission via the Pacific Connector Gas=20
Pipeline consistent with the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Mineral=20
Leasing Act, the Natural Gas Act, the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act=20
and the National Forest Management Act.
By changing the designation of approximately 600 acres=20
from the matrix land allocation to the LSR 227 land allocation.=20
Standards and Guidelines for Developments in Late Successional Reserves=20
(LSRs) require that new developments that may adversely affect LSRs be=20
minimized or mitigated (see Standards and Guidelines for Management of=20
Habitat for Late-Successional and Old-Growth Related Species Within the=20
Range of the Northern Spotted Owl, Page C-17). This change in land=20
allocation is proposed to mitigate the potential adverse impact of the=20
PCGP on LSR 227 on the Rogue River National Forest. This amendment=20
would change future management direction for the lands transferred from=20
matrix to LSR. Additional mitigations for impacts to LSRs are included=20
in the FERC FEIS in Appendix L for the PCGP.
By changing the Visual Quality Objective (VQO) in the=20
vicinity where the 75 foot wide PCGP Right of Way crosses the Big Elk=20
Road from Foreground Retention to Foreground Partial Retention and=20
allowing ten to fifteen years for amended visual quality objectives to=20
be attained. Existing Standards and Guidelines for VQO in foreground=20
retention where the PCGP crosses the Big Elk Road require VQO's be met=20
within 1 year of completion of the project and that management=20
activities not be visually evident (Rogue River NF LRMP, Page 4-72,=20
Management Area 6). This amendment applies only to the Right of Way of=20
the PCGP in the vicinity of the Big Elk Road and does not change future=20
management direction for any other project. Additional mitigations for=20
impacts to scenic resources are included in the PCGP FEIS Appendix L.
By changing the Visual Quality Objective in the vicinity=20
where the 75 foot wide PCGP Right of Way crosses the Pacific Crest=20
Trail (PCT) from Foreground Partial Retention to modification and=20
allowing ten to fifteen years for amended visual quality objectives to=20
be attained. Existing Standards and Guidelines for Visual Quality=20
Objectives in Foreground Partial Retention (Rogue River NF LRMP, Page=20
4-86, Management Area 7) where the PCGP crosses the Pacific Crest=20
Trail, requires visual mitigations to meet the stated visual quality=20
objective within 2 years of the completion of the project and that=20
management activities be visually subordinate to the landscape. This=20
amendment applies only to the Right of Way of the PCGP in the vicinity=20
of the Pacific Crest Trail and does not change future management=20
direction. Additional mitigations for visual impacts are included in=20
the PCGP FEIS Appendix L.
By waiving restrictions on detrimental soil conditions=20
from displacement and compaction within the Right of Way of the PCGP in=20
all management areas. Standards and
[[Page 28216]]
Guidelines for detrimental soil impacts in all affected management=20
areas require that no more than 10% of the activity area be=20
detrimentally compacted, puddled or displaced upon completion of a=20
project. Additional mitigations for detrimental soil conditions are in=20
the PCGP FEIS in Appendix L.
By allowing the PCGP to cross the Restricted Riparian land=20
allocation. This potentially affects two perennial streams and=20
approximately 0.7 of an acre of the Restricted Riparian land=20
allocation. Standards and Guidelines for the Restricted Riparian land=20
allocation (Rogue River NF LRMP, page 4-308, Management Area 26) states=20
that transmission corridors should be located outside of this=20
management area. This amendment applies only to the project area of the=20
PCGP and does not change future management direction. Mitigations for=20
potential adverse impacts to the Restricted Riparian land allocation=20
are included in the PCGP FEIS in Appendix L.
Umpqua NF LRMP--The Forest Service proposes to amend the Umpqua NF=20
LRMP as follows:
By changing the designation of approximately 585 acres=20
from the matrix land allocation to the LSR 223 land allocation.=20
Standards and Guidelines for Developments in Late Successional Reserves=20
(LSRs) require that new developments that may adversely affect LSRs be=20
minimized or mitigated (see Standards and Guidelines for Management of=20
Habitat for Late-Successional and Old-Growth Related Species Within the=20
Range of the Northern Spotted Owl, Page C-17). This change in land=20
allocation is proposed to mitigate the potential adverse impact of the=20
PCGP on LSR 223 on the Umpqua NF. This amendment would change future=20
management direction for the lands transferred from matrix to LSR.=20
Additional mitigations for impacts to LSRs are included in the PCGP=20
FEIS in Appendix L.
By amending Standards and Guidelines for Fisheries (Umpqua=20
NF LRMP, page IV-33, Forest-Wide) to allow the removal of effective=20
shading vegetation where perennial streams are crossed by the PCGP.=20
This potentially affects approximately 5 perennial streams by removing=20
an estimated 3 acres of effective shade. This amendment applies only to=20
the 75 foot right of way where the PCGP crosses perennial streams and=20
does not change future management direction at any other location.=20
Mitigations for impacts on fisheries are included in the FERC FEIS for=20
the PCGP in Appendix L.
By waiving restrictions on detrimental soil conditions=20
from displacement and compaction within the Right of Way of the PCGP.=20
Standards and Guidelines for Soils (Umpqua NF LRMP, page IV-67)=20
requires that not more than 20% of the project area should have=20
detrimental compaction, displacement or puddling after completion of=20
the project. This amendment applies only to the project area of the=20
PCGP and does not change future management direction. Mitigations for=20
soils with detrimental conditions are included in the PCGP FEIS in=20
Appendix L.
By amending prescriptions C2-I, C2-II, C2-III, C2-IV, C2-
V, and C2-VI (Umpqua NF LRMP IV-169-182) to allow the PCGP to cross=20
Riparian Areas and run parallel to streams. This potentially affects=20
approximately 0.8 of an acre of Riparian Reserve. This amendment=20
applies only to the project area of the PCGP and does not change future=20
management direction. Mitigations for potential adverse impacts from=20
Project stream crossings are included in the FEIS for the PCGP in=20
Appendix L.
Winema National Forest--The Forest Service proposes to amend the=20
Winema NF LRMP as follows:
By amending Standards and Guidelines for Management Area 3=20
(Winema NF LRMP, page 4-103-4, Lands) to allow the 95 foot wide PCGP=20
corridor in MA-3 from the Forest Boundary to the Clover Creek Road=20
corridor. This corridor is approximately 1 mile long and affects and=20
potentially affects approximately 11 acres. This amendment applies only=20
to the project area of the PCGP and does not change future management=20
direction. Mitigations for potential adverse impacts to scenic values=20
are included in the FEIS for the PCGP in Appendix L.
By allowing more time to achieve Visual Quality Objectives=20
(VQO) in the vicinity where the 75 foot wide PCGP corridor crosses the=20
Dead Indian Memorial Highway. Standards and Guidelines for Scenic=20
Management, Foreground Retention (Winema NF LRMP, page 4-103, MA 3A,=20
Foreground Retention) require visual quality objectives for a given=20
location be achieved within 1 year of completion of the project. The=20
Forest Service proposes to allow a longer time frame to meet the=20
specified VQO at this location. This amendment applies only to the=20
project area of the PCGP and does not change future management=20
direction. Mitigations for visual impacts are included in the FEIS for=20
the PCGP in Appendix L.
By allowing more time to meet Visual Quality Objectives=20
(VQO) for Scenic Management, Foreground Partial Retention where the=20
PCGP is in the vicinity of the Clover Creek Road from approximate=20
pipeline milepost 170 to 175. This potentially affects approximately 50=20
acres where it will take additional time to meet the Partial Retention=20
standard. Standards and Guidelines for Foreground Partial Retention=20
(Winema NF LRMP, page 4-107, MA 3B) requires that visual quality=20
objectives be met within 1 year of completion of a project. The Forest=20
Service proposes to allow a longer time frame to meet the amended VQO=20
at this location. This amendment applies only to the project area of=20
the PCGP in the vicinity of the Clover Creek Road and does not change=20
future management direction. Mitigations for potential adverse impacts=20
to scenic values are included in the FEIS for the PCGP in Appendix L.
By waiving restrictions on detrimental soil conditions=20
from displacement and compaction within the Right of Way of the PCGP in=20
all management areas. Standards and Guidelines for detrimental soil=20
impacts (Winema NF LRMP, page 4-73, 12-5) in all affected management=20
areas require that no more than 20% of the activity area be=20
detrimentally compacted, puddled or displaced upon completion of a=20
project. Additional mitigations for detrimental soil conditions are in=20
the PCGP FEIS in Appendix L.
By waiving restrictions on detrimental soil conditions=20
from displacement and compaction within the 75 foot wide Right of Way=20
of the PCGP within Management Area 8 Riparian Area. This potentially=20
affects approximately 0.5 miles of Management Area 8 Riparian Area=20
totaling an estimated 9.6 acres. Standards and Guidelines for Soil and=20
Water, Management Area 8 (Winema NF LRMP, page 4-137, 2) require that=20
not more than 10% of the total riparian zone in an activity area be in=20
a detrimental soil condition upon the completion of a project. This=20
amendment applies only to the project area of the PCGP and does not=20
change future management direction. Mitigations for potential adverse=20
soil impacts are included in the PCGP FEIS in Appendix L.
Lead Agency
The Forest Service is the Lead Agency for amendments of Forest=20
Plans.
Responsible Official
The Responsible Officials for amendments of the Rogue River, Umpqua=20
and Winema LRMPs are respectively Forest Supervisors, Scott D. Conroy,=20
Clifford J. Dils and Karen Shimamoto.
[[Page 28217]]
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The nature of the decision to be made is whether the respective=20
LRMPs would be amended if the FERC authorizes the PCGP.
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides=20
the development of the environmental impact statement. With this NOI,=20
the Forest Service is requesting public comments on the proposed=20
amendments of the Rogue River, Umpqua and Winema NF LRMPs.
It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times=20
and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of=20
the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be=20
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly=20
articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions. The submission of=20
timely and specific comments can affect a reviewer's ability to=20
participate in subsequent administrative appeal or judicial review.
Dated: June 8, 2009.
Clifford J. Dils,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E9-14045 Filed 6-12-09; 8:45 am]
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